In-state duo bolsters Sooner class

While grabbing talent from the state of Texas is the backbone of Oklahoma's recruiting (10 of its 17 commits), the Sooners just greatly strengthened its top ten 2008 class with talent from their own backyard. Bob Stoops yesterday grabbed a pair of verbal commitments from highly-touted high school teammates wide receiver Jameel Owens and defensive tackle Stacey McGee out of Muskogee, Okla. The two add a talented pair of top-15 prospects to the Oklahoma class, with Owens being the No. 15-rated wide receiver and McGee the No. 14-rated defensive tackle.

ESPN 150 player Owens makes the biggest splash as he adds another potential weapon to an already young and explosive Sooners offensive attack led by sophomore-to-be quarterback Sam Bradford. Owens at about 6-foot-3 and 200 pounds adds a big target who will fit nicely with the departure of Malcolm Kelly to the NFL draft. He does not possess elite level speed but is a smooth player with big, soft hands. He does not miss many balls that get around his frame as he displays excellent concentration and body control. He is also a good route runner for a high school prospect and that should help him to contribute early. With the recent addition of No. 3-rated wide receiver Josh Jarboe (Decatur, Ga./Cedar Grove), the Sooners have just assembled a big, productive set of receivers that should quickly help an offense that ranked fifth nationally in scoring.